This post is inspired by a new coworker in the Loveland group named Dusty.  He found out about coworking through a flier in a coffee shop.  He said that when he saw the flier, he immediately thought, “Yes!  THESE are my people!  This is the tribe I’ve been looking for!” Dusty worked one day with us in Loveland and after 4 hours proclaimed, “I’m in.  Whatever you need me to do to help, I’m there.”

Not everyone feels as comfortable as Dusty to just show up to a new place filled with strangers.  You might have some reservations about coming in for the first time so I thought I’d take a moment to describe, in more detail, who we are. If you can identify with at least one thing on this list, we’re a match made in coworking heaven.

Members list their values for coworking and Cohere

Cohere is made up of what the coworking movement calls “like-minded people.”  At first glance, like-minded seems a little cultish and you might even believe that we all think alike, have the same opinions and are basically clones of one another.  Nothing could be further from reality.  Our diverse opinions is what keeps the conversation flowing and lively. None of us think exactly alike.  That would be boring! When we say “like-minded” we are talking about our values as independent workers.  The basic values we hold in the space are:

• Being Part of a Community
• Freedom to Collaborate and ask for/give Help.
• Productivity balanced with Social Time
• Giving and Getting Inspiration
• Forming Deeper Relationships

If those values appeal to you, read on to see how our interests overlap.  After collecting over 20 members and spending countless hours together, I’ve noticed some trends in member behaviors and preferences.

Most members:

• Make a conscious decision to work together instead of alone and have been willing to abandon home offices and the coffee shop circuit to be at Cohere.
• Believe that they get much more value out of membership than just a physical space to do work.
• Exhibit happy, helpful attitudes in life and at Cohere.  Members are happy to offer up their expertise when another member hits a roadblock or gets jammed up in the creative process. They are also resilient and hard working.
• Are willing to collaborate on projects and make useful introductions to key people in the community to grow social networks.
• Have quirky or off beat senses of humor. We all have our own particular comedic style and we’re all embraced just as we are.  If you’ve ever read our twitter stream, this should be apparent!
• 

  "like-minded" ladies sport matching Bike to Work tees; locally designed by Akinz.com

  Participate in physical activities like going for walks, ultimate frisbee, softball, running, spinning, climbing, yoga or individual activities.

• Enjoy eating, growing and/or learning about natural or organic foods.  Many members enjoy shares of community supported agriculture, have gardens of their own or support the local economy by shopping at farmers’ markets and buying/eating local foods.
• Like animals.  Most members have pets ranging from dogs and cats to bunnies, horses and fish.
• Are technically diverse.  Members are nearly evenly split PC and MAC and run both Linux and Windows based systems.  Some use social media a lot, others not at all. Some are “power users” and others just use computers as a means to get their jobs done.

If any of these resonate with you, try out a Free Day Pass. I won’t spam your email or force you to join.  I won’t even ask you to make a decision about membership while you’re here.  Just come check it out.  All we ask is that you come with an open mind and get some work done or meet a new friend.

Cohere Members–what other characteristics have you noticed?